The preliminary inquiry into the discovery of the 133 pounds of marijuana aboard the army flagship four months ago was adjourned yesterday due to the absence of defence counsel.
The hearing continued before Senior Magistrate Maxwell Edwards and was deferred to tomorrow after defence counsel, Vic Puran failed to appear. Puran was also absent at the previous hearing but the inquiry had continued in his absence.
Prosecution witness, Eon Austin had concluded his evidence in chief on the last occasion and was set to be cross-examined by Puran yesterday.
Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard member, Godfrey Hackett also testified at the last hearing and was to be cross-examined by Puran. Puran represents the defendants, Shandy Stephens and Wayne Inniss.
State counsel, Simone Bullen and Paula Gilford attached to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) are appearing in the capacity of prosecutors.
Ex-soldiers, Able Ratings Inniss and Ordinary Ratings Stephens were jointly charged on July 16 with conspiracy to traffic in narcotics. Inniss is facing a separate charge of trafficking in narcotics.
The narcotic was found when the GDFS Essequibo docked in Barbados to participate in the Caribbean regional 'Exercise Tradewinds'.